Adventures and observations of an everyday goddess in La La Land.

November 22, 2006

Just lookin' for my one chance to run.

My annual rejection letter from the ABC/DGA program usually comes in November. I also applied for an NBC program a few months ago and am supposed to hear about that first week of December. And I realized that it is possible that I could receive notification of rejection from both programs on the same day. In honor of that which could but has not happened yet (both good and bad), I give you:

My Most Fabulous 2007

After a wonderful New Year's full of good friends and romance, I began my 12-week fellowship at NBC. Shadowing directors on NBC shows was, of course, great and educational. I made solid contacts at various shows and definitely began to build relationships. It felt great to be on set again, learning my craft.

I had planned to try office temp agencies immediately following my participation in the program, since I can not afford to be unemployed for even a few days, however, I auditioned for "On The Lot" in March and next thing you know, I'm on the show! The timing couldn't have been better. Right from NBC fellowship to reality television.

On The Lot was an awesome challenge, and I met tons of cool people and had so much fun! The kind of fun you can only get on set under intense pressure - total rock. Just an amazing life experience. I signed with my agent about halfway through the show.

Did I win? Sorry, no spoilers here!

Soon after, I was taking meetings all over town. Signed to direct a romantic comedy which I started prepping in late fall for a January 2008 shoot, and most awesome, before that film work started, I was able to direct a couple one-hour episodic television shows. Again with the challenges and the set fun.

Plus, two episodes at DGA minimum was a huge, huge raise over what I made in 2006. Add that to the NBC fellowship and my feature money, and I was able to buy a reliable car and pay off most of my debt. Not to mention the most awesome life change in my schedule. No more day job, WOOHOO!

I've been able to cook more, work on my drawing, and prep my Desert Storm film short. I've started a savings account for that project. Suddenly, when I'm not working I'm free to think about film and television projects. I'm still blogging, but only at my personal blog and not as often. Oh, and I've started writing a screenplay. It's really amazing how much more time you have when it's arranged in focused clumps.

They say it will wear off, but I'm just so damn happy to be on set that nothing shakes my focus and determination. I consider buying a shirt that says, "Thank you, sir, May I have another?." Producers can't sweat me; DPs love me. Working with actors continues to be my favorite part of my job.

My job. As a working director.

Ironically, I did get yet another application out to the ABC/DGA directing program in 2007, AND I actually got called for an interview. I passed.